Belgium to End Anonymity for Sperm and Egg Donors, Prioritizing Children’s Rights
Belgium is poised to end the long-standing practice of compulsory anonymity for sperm and egg donors, a move driven by a desire to prioritize the rights of children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies. The proposed legislation, approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday, will grant donor-conceived children the right to access information about their biological parents.
New Rights for Donor-Conceived Children
Under the proposal, spearheaded by Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke and Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden, children born through sperm or egg donation will have access to non-identifying information about their donor starting at age 12, such as hair color, eye color, and height. Full identifying information – including the donor’s name and date of birth – will become available at age 16.
Access to this information will be facilitated through a newly created “Institute for Donor Data.” from age 16, donor-conceived individuals will have the option to connect with biological half-siblings, provided both parties consent to the contact.
Shift in Policy and Existing Concerns
Currently, Belgium maintains a strict system of anonymity for sperm and egg donors. Fertility centers are legally prohibited from sharing donor identities with parents or children, retaining the information solely for administrative purposes. This policy has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, with donor-conceived individuals often expressing a desire to learn about their origins.
Minister Vandenbroucke emphasized that “the rights of the child take precedence” in justifying the policy change. He highlighted the difficulties faced by individuals who grew up with unanswered questions about their parentage, often leading to uncertainty and lengthy searches for information.
Transition and Retroactivity
The proposed legislation will not be applied retroactively. While past donors may voluntarily choose to lift their anonymity, they will not be legally required to do so. Existing protections for anonymously donated material already in storage will also remain in place, and fertility centers will be granted a three-year transition period to adapt to the new regulations.
Recent Developments and Prior Policy Changes
This move follows a previous decision in March 2025, where Minister Vandenbroucke announced a tolerance policy allowing fertility centers to function with identifiable sperm and egg donors without facing sanctions, while awaiting the formal legal changes.
Concerns Regarding Donor Health
The push for greater transparency comes amid growing concerns about donor health. In June 2025, Minister Vandenbroucke stated that apologies from the authorities were appropriate in light of a case involving a Danish sperm donor who carried a gene responsible for cancer, resulting in at least 67 children conceived across Europe, including 52 in Belgium, potentially being at risk. A similar case involving a donor with a cancer-causing gene was reported in March 2025, with 10 cases of cancer already diagnosed in Europe.